Yesterday I posted a pretty loaded message on PureSUP Yoga’s Instagram and Facebook. The picture caption said, “Looking to your horizon and seeing nothing but beauty puts any troubled present moment at ease. If you can recognize your struggles as one of life’s greatest teachers, knowing one won’t truly know pleasure unless they’ve experienced pain, you can embrace it, learn the lessons and move right along….” I realized this message is somewhat confusing. How can we embrace our current pain while looking to the future? It can be a constant struggle to stay optimistic about the future without losing your present moment mindset. I’ve put together a couple tips for this yin-yang balance so let me know what you think!

1. Change Your Thinking About Reaching Milestones

Example, “When I graduate college, I will be free and happy” or “When I meet my true love, my whole life will come together”…. This type of thinking keeps us dreaming about some future and not really embracing our present moment or current lessons. Soon, you are well over your college graduation and you look back and think, “Wow, where did the time go?” You can’t go back and get that time, so you better enjoy each part of your journey! Maybe change your thinking to be more along the lines of…. “While I am in college, I will learn as much as I can in each class and every awkward social encounter so I will be prepared for the beautiful future that awaits me”. This takes you from the “bite your lip and take it” mentality to understanding and appreciating the present moment for what it really is.

2. Let GO of Specific Future Horizons and Let IN Your Life Purpose

If I had committed 100% to opening a yoga studio when I first started to get my entrepreneur itch, I might not have been able to receive the gifts of my current intuitively guided business. Rather then specifics, I set my heart on creating a business of purpose and inspiration for others and then just let the journey unfold. I still refuse to grasp too tightly to the outcome of my current business (although others might not agree with that statement) but what I do grasp tightly to is the purpose behind my existence. That is how you ride the ups and downs of business and life, knowing your purpose and knowing what you generally strive towards achieving. Trust me this is not easy to do when the world seems to crash down on you; as you chose to give up your luxury car, your own apartment, shopping, that sense of security and get down to your very last dollar with no idea where your next will come from…. But that is when it’s most important because let me tell you if I didn’t have an overall purpose and vision for my life, I would have dumped PureSUP Yoga and Entrepreneurship many headaches ago.

3. Learn Your Lessons

I try not to write about my after life/religious beliefs etc. but heck this is my blog and I am just going to go for it. I believe we choose our lives, the obstacles in them and the rewards available to us. When I lived in Costa Rica I read, “Journey of Souls” by Michael Newton. Timely find since I was grieving my father’s passing and a bit curious about the after life. The interesting book on case studies from real past life regressions reveals how our souls choose the struggles we face, the challenges in our lives and it is up to us to persevere, peel back the layers and embrace our enlightened true self. It’s like we are competing with our higher self in a way. We have this set plan of obstacles and struggles and as we overcome them and get stronger, we move to the next level. If we choose to fail, our next life gives us a chance to try again. I don’t know about you, but I am trying to overcome as much and gain as much strength as I can so in my next life, I might not need to face as many struggles. Whatever your beliefs about the after life are, it certainly won’t hurt you to try to learn as many lessons as you can by being present and listening to what your guide is trying to teach you.

Well hopefully this post helps you see how you can stay present while looking towards your beautiful horizon. The last thing anyone wants in life is to rush it and not fully experience every step of the way. Life feels a bit easier when you surrender to your moments and learning experiences for what they really are. May your day be full of peaceful moments and your horizon be full of light!

]]>http://puresupyoga.com/beauty-on-the-horizon-while-enjoying-the-present-moment/feed/0Happy Yoga Awareness Month!http://puresupyoga.com/happy-yoga-awareness-month/
http://puresupyoga.com/happy-yoga-awareness-month/#commentsWed, 18 Sep 2013 17:50:18 +0000http://ecosupyogi.com/?p=280by Did you know September is the official National Yoga Month (a national observance designated by the Department of Health & Human Services)? How exciting is that?! Many studios offer excellent introductory specials and classes this month so be sure to drop by your local studio and see what is going on! If you happen […]

Did you know September is the official National Yoga Month (a national observance designated by the Department of Health & Human Services)? How exciting is that?! Many studios offer excellent introductory specials and classes this month so be sure to drop by your local studio and see what is going on!

If you happen to be heading out on the road and want to find some OMazing places to practice, check out this article about the Best Hotels for Yoga!

Please share if you know of any other excellent places to practice yoga! Have you ever tried Stand Up Paddle Yoga on vacation? Let us know your favorite spots and how you plan to share some yoga awareness this month!

]]>http://puresupyoga.com/happy-yoga-awareness-month/feed/0Graffiti, Strippers and Italianshttp://puresupyoga.com/graffiti-strippers-and-italians/
http://puresupyoga.com/graffiti-strippers-and-italians/#commentsWed, 14 Aug 2013 01:32:06 +0000http://lps.spencermillerdesign.com/?p=1700by If you read my blog post, From Grief to Costa Rica, you know I am traveling alone in Costa Rica at the moment. If you have not read it, just a brief background…. I am living and teaching yoga at a wellness center about an hour from Jaco in Costa Rica and I get […]

If you read my blog post, From Grief to Costa Rica, you know I am traveling alone in Costa Rica at the moment. If you have not read it, just a brief background…. I am living and teaching yoga at a wellness center about an hour from Jaco in Costa Rica and I get a few days off which I use to travel around and experience the culture a bit. Today I was reminiscing about the series of events that took place one night on the town a couple weeks ago and I realized it was kinda funny and maybe I should share…. so here it is, one of my nights out….

I was feeling a little Eat, Pray, Love-ish and sought out the best restaurant I could find to indulge in some fine dining! My friends at the hostel referred me to the top restaurant in town and as soon as I walked into Graffiti Restro Cafe and Wine Bar, I knew it was going to be excellent. The walls were covered in Graffiti art and the energy was vibrant. One look over the menu at the amazingly, unique combinations of flavors and I was in love. I ordered a signature cocktail, fabulous appetizer and sat back to relax and begin my over the top self indulgence.

Cocktail at Graffiti Bar, Jaco Costa Rica

As I was finishing up my main course (which was a phenomenal Mahi-mahi special) a local guy came up to my table with what looked like a circus act.

He pulled out a long leaf from his pocket and started weaving the leaf into this heart creation. About a minute later he placed the plant woven heart on his chest and made a thumping motion before handing me his creation. I thanked him and gave him a little tip. Quite a talent that man has!

After strolling around the town a bit to ease my overly full tummy, I made my way to a little beach bar where I was planning to meet up with a friend I met stand up paddle boarding the day before. He said he was heading to some beach bar for $1 beers. Randomly I had this image of a vibe similar to a local bar in my hometown, Pitcher House in Redondo Beach, thinking I would walk into a small crowd of familiar faces. Boy was I wrong! The place was packed and what I would classify as “Fiesta Techno” music was blaring loudly. Feeling a little shell shocked, I made my way to the bar to order what I thought was going to be a $1 beer. Well $5 and a warm flat beer pour later, I was informed I missed the locals special that ended at 9PM. I scanned the crowd and realized it was going to be very unlikely I would see my friend.

A couple gringo dudes could relate to my misplacement and struck up a conversation. After chatting a bit we decided to head back towards the main area of town and make our way to another place recommended by my friends called Amigos. The guys mentioned their friends were already at one of the bars on the main road on our way, so I agreed to stop by there with them.

We came to a club looking entrance with a big, buff security guy at the door. The bouncer looked me up and down and asked, “Are you a stripper?” My jaw dropped as I scanned my own attire. I was wearing a super lose fitted and conservative white dress, old rainbow sandals and mala beads. My ocean soaked hair was pulled up in a messy bun on top of my head and I looked at him with confusion asking, “Do I look like a stripper?”. I quickly realized that was a stupid question. This was not a joking matter. I changed my demeanor and said with a more serious tone, “No, no I am not”. I looked over at my new gringo friends and they said, “we can just run in and see if our friends are here, if you want to wait outside”. I weighed my options…. wait outside with scary buff bouncer guy who thinks I am a stripper or enter what I now realize was a local strip club. I quickly decided the latter option and said, “When in rome…”.

We walked into a very empty strip club that clearly their friends were not at and I looked at them and said, “ok, we should probably head to Amigos now”. A couple stripper girls gave me some interesting looks as I quickly made my way back to the front entrance.

We finally made it to Amigos and it was very refreshing to see lots of gringos having fun in a relaxed environment. I ended up staying there for awhile and had a great time.

Amigo’s Bathroom Sign!

As I made the short block and half walk back to my hostel, I reflected on the interesting night I had which turned out to be very different from the night I thought was planned. I approached my room and saw two super handsome dutch looking guys lounging in the hammocks. I sat in the available hammock in between them to chat for a bit. To my surprise, these guys were Italian and not dutch at all. I’ve never been to Italy, but assumed Italians would have much darker features. We talked about our different travel experiences and our lives at home. They told me about Manuel Antonio (which is now where I am heading in a couple days) and I gave them some great tips about Montezuma (which is where they were headed). It was a very typical, friendly encounter at a hostel and was just the cherry on top of my random evening of experiences.

Hammock Lounging Selfy

I went to bed that night feeling very proud of myself for being so brave, meeting new people and venturing through unfamiliar surroundings. My spiritual evolution was well on its way back at the retreat center, but being able to apply some of what I’ve been working on to “real life” was a great reminder that the strength I am gaining here in Costa Rica is going to totally change my “real life” back home. I will continue to appreciate fine dining mindfully, be open to meeting new people, let go of expectations and allow myself to stay completely present in each moment, soaking in all my surroundings. Hoping this blog brightens your afternoon a bit. Sending lots of love from Costa Rica! Xo!Britt

]]>http://puresupyoga.com/graffiti-strippers-and-italians/feed/0Energy Protectionhttp://puresupyoga.com/energy-protection/
http://puresupyoga.com/energy-protection/#commentsWed, 14 Aug 2013 01:29:10 +0000http://lps.spencermillerdesign.com/?p=1696by We all radiate our own unique energy that represents our true state of being in the moment. Have you ever just looked at someone and could sense their suffering, sorrow or stress without them even saying a word? Energy surrounds us and is exchanged constantly. I’ve known for a long time that I am […]

We all radiate our own unique energy that represents our true state of being in the moment. Have you ever just looked at someone and could sense their suffering, sorrow or stress without them even saying a word? Energy surrounds us and is exchanged constantly.

I’ve known for a long time that I am sensitive to other people’s energies, but I had no idea to what extent. I’ve learned that when you are over sensitive to energy sometimes you take on the suffering of those around you so much so that it manifests as physical ailments in your own body. This is when we really must be careful to protect ourselves and draw the line between being empathetic towards others suffering and actually feeling the pain ourselves.

During my yoga teacher training I first learned about protecting energy and was given some great meditation tools to create shields to protect myself. I realized I needed to put these tools to use when I encountered a yoga student detoxifying from cocaine. I immediately felt sick to my stomach, depressed and just sad seeing her in such an awful state. The first night she was in my yoga class, I cried. It became very evident I needed to work on my energy protection so I could not only protect myself but also provide her some positive energy. Two sad energies are not going to find light. As the time I spent with her went on, not only did I witness a beautiful transformation of an addict, but I also strengthened up my energy protection shield.

I will write some blogs about healing from addictions soon, but for now here is s great guided Beginners Mirror Meditation from Julie Radar of Mukti Yoga School, where I did my YTT last year! This mirror meditation will help you protect your own energy through out your day. Check out the video on MindBodyGreen!

]]>http://puresupyoga.com/energy-protection/feed/0Recharge Your Blisshttp://puresupyoga.com/recharge-your-bliss/
http://puresupyoga.com/recharge-your-bliss/#commentsWed, 03 Jul 2013 23:31:58 +0000http://ecosupyogi.com/?p=262by Having a blissful state of mind is a conscious choice I make regularly. I really believe that regardless of our circumstances, we can make this choice. I wrote this blog post while I was still in Costa Rica but waited to publish it so I could reflect on these practices in “real life” after […]

Having a blissful state of mind is a conscious choice I make regularly. I really believe that regardless of our circumstances, we can make this choice. I wrote this blog post while I was still in Costa Rica but waited to publish it so I could reflect on these practices in “real life” after my return. If there’s anything I’ve learned through all the moving, adjusting, and changing, it’s that if you don’t nurture your own health and happiness, everything else will fall apart (or at least feel as though it is). I hope this list can help you recharge your bliss too!

1. Salutes of Gratitude

My yoga salutes of gratitude are basically dedicated rounds of varied sun salutes. I generally do 5 rounds and use a different gratitude mantra for each round. An example mantra might be, “I am grateful for the abundance of this beautiful day” or “I am grateful for my healthy, able body”. If you are new to yoga and not too familiar with leading yourself through sun salutes, start by just standing with your feet hip distance apart and inhale, lifting your arms up overhead, bringing palms together, exhale bringing your hands down into your chest. Keep your abdominals engaged, knees slightly bent and sturdy rooted energy through your feet. Get creative, adding on to this basic beginning and do what feels right for your body that day. Some days I do half salutes; while others I lose myself in super twisted flows… accept how you feel in the moment and go with it. The purpose is really to fill your heart with gratitude so you live the day with compassion and bliss.

2. Meditate

I think every post I read about healthy living includes meditation and I now know why. Yes, I’ve been a novice meditator for over a year but transitioning to daily meditations is a game changer. I find myself meditating through out the day in quick moments just to clear my head. I allow deep soothing breaths to remove tension in my mind and my body. I’ve also started to use sound and music meditations. One album I really like is Peter Kater’s Light Body. I found a sample of it on You Tube here. This is the heart chakra track. I like to place my hands on my heart or whichever chakra I am meditating on to send healing energy to that area.

3. Spend Time in Nature

Take a little walk and notice the butterfly that passes you by or the way the tree grows slightly tilted. Pay attention to the sites and sounds around you. Take your workout outdoors and soak up the sun! This is why I love SUP so much and SUP yoga and running and well basically anything outdoors. Noticing nature allows us to see things the way they really are, not a projection of how we assume they should be.

4. Healthy Living

I know my happiness depends on healthy lifestyle choices. I feel the best when I am eating healthy, non-processed whole foods and getting all the nutrients my body requires. I have to sweat almost everyday and feel best when I mix up my workout routine, not getting over consumed by just running or just cycling. I must get massive amounts of water to feel hydrated and pure. To me keeping a balance is key, as well as moderation. Living a healthy lifestyle keeps me grounded and makes me feel the most blissful.

5. Trusting Intuition and the Cycle of Life

At the end of the day, in order to maintain bliss, we must surrender to the universe and just trust that our life journey is so special and unique. We must believe that no matter what happens, we will survive and grow. Mistakes are not mistakes when you learn from them. I truly believe listening to our intuition and allowing our life choices to come from a “tuned in” place of heart, is the key to moving forward.

I’ve recently taken a huge leaps of faith with my business/career life and when anxiety or fear starts to creep in, I just take a deep breathe, remind myself that trusting my intuition one step at a time has worked well so far and one way or another, I have to answer the calling so why not try now, right?

Headstand in Costa Rica!

Just for the record, I have no idea how anyone has ever started a business without some sort of recharging bliss methods. I’d love to hear other ideas or ways to calm a crazy mind so please share below or email me: info@puresupyoga.com!

]]>http://puresupyoga.com/recharge-your-bliss/feed/0Moving Meditation with Paddleboard Yogahttp://puresupyoga.com/moving-meditation-with-paddleboard-yoga/
http://puresupyoga.com/moving-meditation-with-paddleboard-yoga/#commentsSat, 29 Jun 2013 03:57:02 +0000http://ecosupyogi.com/?p=267by I am thrilled to be published in San Diego’s Natural Awakenings July, 2013 issue! The article is a little about the construction of our boards and how the idea for PureSUP Yoga Eco Boards came about! Check it out online: Moving Meditation Combines Yoga and Stand Up Paddleboarding Sending Light & Love, Britt

]]>http://puresupyoga.com/moving-meditation-with-paddleboard-yoga/feed/0Welcome PureSUP Yoga Ambassador Gabriel Azoulay!http://puresupyoga.com/welcome-puresup-yoga-ambassador-gabriel-azoulay/
http://puresupyoga.com/welcome-puresup-yoga-ambassador-gabriel-azoulay/#commentsSat, 25 May 2013 00:45:31 +0000http://ecosupyogi.com/?p=254by Gabriel has been surfing since the age of 18 and practicing Yoga since the age of 19. He has lived on both the East coast and the West coast of USA, chasing hurricanes and swells. He also lived in India and Thailand to study Yoga and Thai Yoga under renowned masters. Over the years he influenced […]

Gabriel has been surfing since the age of 18 and practicing Yoga since the age of 19. He has lived on both the East coast and the West coast of USA, chasing hurricanes and swells. He also lived in India and Thailand to study Yoga and Thai Yoga under renowned masters. Over the years he influenced yogis to paddle out and surfers to flow with the Sun. Gabriel’s passion for the ocean has been a source of inspiration in and out of the yoga room. When he started SUP Yoga, Gabriel discovered how to combine the pleasure and enjoyment of combining his two favorite activities, water and yoga. When the surf is down or he finds himself far from the ocean, Gabriel heads to still waters to look at the horizon from a new perspective. For those who find surfing challenging, Gabriel has been able to offer an opportunity to be on a surf board while inspiring them to practice on the mat. He is a member of the World Paddle Association (WPA), the Eastern Surf Association (ESA) and is a certified Yoga and SUP Yoga instructor. He is a teacher trainer who travels around the world sharing his passion and vision for yoga and SUP yoga.

Pure SUP Yoga boards, with their passion for eco-friendly products, their beautiful designs and board stability, made an immediate impression on Gabriel. Working to build a larger community, that chooses to be aware of the world we live in, Gabriel sought out the opportunity to be an ambassador with Pure SUP Yoga. He is passionate about sharing Pure SUP Yoga’s vision and design, along with the personalization of boards for each client. He feels that this direct relationship between clients, ambassadors and other yoga students and studios is the way to build a shared community that is active in the world, and works together to inspire joy, peace and abundance.

www.puresupyoga.com

PureSUP Yoga is thrilled to welcome Gabriel on board to help share the light of SUP Yoga! Stay tuned for more information regarding Gabriel’s upcoming SUP Yoga classes and trainings around the world! You can also view his website at www.h3yoga.com . If you are interested in becoming an ambassador for PureSUP Yoga, we’d love to hear from you so please send us an email! info@puresupyoga.com. Sending Light and Love!

]]>http://puresupyoga.com/amatierra-yoga-retreat-takes-nutrition-seriously-organically-growing-their-own/feed/0Wheel Pose and the PureSUP Yoga Logohttp://puresupyoga.com/wheel-pose-and-the-puresup-yoga-logo/
http://puresupyoga.com/wheel-pose-and-the-puresup-yoga-logo/#commentsTue, 30 Apr 2013 22:51:24 +0000http://ecosupyogi.com/?p=41by Wheel pose happens to be my first favorite asana in yoga. I love the way it makes me feel as if my heart is open and my body is shining sunbeams out into the universe, while also receiving universal energy force. It’s a very powerful pose. This is the inspiration behind the PureSUP Yoga […]

Wheel pose happens to be my first favorite asana in yoga. I love the way it makes me feel as if my heart is open and my body is shining sunbeams out into the universe, while also receiving universal energy force. It’s a very powerful pose. This is the inspiration behind the PureSUP Yoga logo design.

www.puresupyoga.com

I’ve recently started to read the Myths of the Asanas, which is about the ancient origins of yoga and how the asanas got their names. The book talks about Wheel pose resembling a circle when ones hands are able to walk and reach their ankles. I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen someone make a full circle in person, but I am sure it’s out there. The book says the circle represents the completion of our internal energy circuit, which begins at the energy center that is located at the base of the spine and ends at the energy center at the crown of the head. When we connect our hands towards our ankles in Wheel Pose, the energy is free to move clearly around our bodies.

Do you feel your heart opening and your internal energy moving freely through your body when you are in Wheel pose? What makes you feel free?

]]>http://puresupyoga.com/wheel-pose-and-the-puresup-yoga-logo/feed/05 Tips for Solo Travel Adventureshttp://puresupyoga.com/5-tips-for-solo-travel-adventures/
http://puresupyoga.com/5-tips-for-solo-travel-adventures/#commentsFri, 26 Apr 2013 18:14:13 +0000http://ecosupyogi.com/?p=31by I had only been in Costa Rica a few nights before I was given the opportunity to take a couple of nights off work and travel alone to Jaco Beach, about an hour or so away from the retreat center I am currently living at as the resident yoga teacher. I was a little […]

I had only been in Costa Rica a few nights before I was given the opportunity to take a couple of nights off work and travel alone to Jaco Beach, about an hour or so away from the retreat center I am currently living at as the resident yoga teacher. I was a little nervous about traveling alone. Before this little adventure, I had never actually stayed at a hostel. I knew this was going to take some courage and certainly a calm, open mind. Here are 5 tips I learned from my experience traveling alone. I encourage everyone to try traveling alone once in your life, maybe even just a quick one-night getaway to be with yourself in a new environment.

1. Collect tips for where to stay, eat and hang from trusted sources

My friend recommended great restaurants, the best hostel for my price range and connected me to the local yoga studio in town. This made me feel more comfortable and familiar with everything, plus it also assured I ate excellent cuisine! If you don’t have a friend that is familiar with the area you are traveling, utilize resources online like Rough Guides.

Treated myself to Tsunami Sushi!

2. Get a feel for the town before traveling by studying maps and browsing websites for local businesses

I got a great map drawn for me to show me where everything was in relation to everything else. I then looked online at menus, prices and accommodations a bit to get a feel for the culture and surroundings. A great resource for getting real customer reviews on businesses in a specific area is Trip Advisor .

3. Make plans to do something YOU really enjoy, like a yoga class or surf lesson

My first day there, I attended a yoga class. It was a great way to feel connected to the town. The beauty about traveling alone is you do what you want, when you want and if you change your mind every hour, well that’s just fine.

Relaxing at the beach in Jaco, Costa Rica

4. Enjoy your time alone by observing all your surroundings

If you have never dinned alone, I recommend trying that before traveling alone. It can be slightly uncomfortable at first, but once you kick back and enjoy all the sights and sounds around you, it starts to feel very relaxing. I tend to notice the art on the restaurant walls, the people dinning together, the way the local guy gets the chair for his girlfriend…simple things that remind you there is an abundance of beauty and diversity of lifestyles in our world.

5. Be open to making new friends

You never know when small talk will turn into a sunset hike and dinner with a local surfer guy. Of course it’s very important to listen to your intuition and be cautious of your surroundings. It took me a while to feel comfortable with the guy I met, but once I realized he knew everyone in the small town and was totally connected to the hotel and surf scene, I trusted him to show me around. I’m really glad I did, because now I have a new friend. I’ve already learned so much from him and have seen parts of the town I would never see on my own.

Sunset Jaco, Costa Rica

Keep an open mind and more importantly, an open heart. What have you learned from traveling alone? If you’ve never traveled alone, what is holding you back? Life is waiting for you to fully experience it so get out there and enjoy!